Demetri Smith, a senior at Bassick High School, plays piano for his mother, Scarlette Leaphart, in their Bridgeport, Conn. home, April 19th, 2013. Smith has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of New Haven.

Demetri Smith, a senior at Bassick High School, plays piano for his mother, Scarlette Leaphart, in their Bridgeport, Conn. home, April 19th, 2013. Smith has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of

BRIDGEPORT -- Demetri Smith's fingers tap out an effortless tune on his keyboard in his third-floor bedroom on Catherine Street. Amplifiers share space with clothes in the closet. On the wall is a poster of Jimi Hendrix.

The 18-year-old Bassick High School senior considers himself a rap artist, but it is his business acumen that has helped him win a four-year full-tuition scholarship to the University of New Haven. Over four years, that amounts to more than $120,000.

"Honestly, it is a huge blessing," Smith said. "I really didn't think about how I was going to pay (for college)."

Smith is one of four incoming freshmen to win the online competition to the UNH College of Business, which required contestants to create a Facebook page for a business they wish to launch or are already operating and write a business plan. Students had to define what the business is, what it does, why it is unique, why it is needed and how it will be positioned to achieve and sustain long-term success.

"I knew what I was talking about, and that was what counted," said Smith, who proposed a business called Velocity Music Group that would help find and market young urban artists through social media, bookings and recordings.

More Information

Sweet musicSee part of Demetri Smith's project that won him a scholarship to the University of New Haven at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Velocity-Music-Group/150530185110147

Born in Bridgeport, Smith spent six years in Florida, his freshman year in Stratford and the last three years in Bridgeport. He has been singing since second grade. In addition to keyboards, he plays the saxophone and drums. His band is called, "CVOB," which stands for Connecticut's Very Own Best.

The group also includes Shyheim Akinloye, Jermaine Young, Addoneys Cruz, Alex Phouangphiarith and Reggie Short. They have performed on a number of college campuses and local venues. On YouTube, Smith has posted a number of videos under the stage name Max Velo.

"Since I can remember, I've been involved in music," he said. "So when I talked to my mentor, she told me to write down all my skills and what I already do that I am passionate about, which was everything musically and music-industry related. I just put a name on it and called it a record label."

Mentor Vanessa Liles said it was a bit more than that. She has worked with Smith for about three years. They met when she was an adviser to BuildOn, a community service club at Bassick. Smith recently traveled with that club to help build schools in Nicaragua. Liles now works at the United Way.

"Demetri is just an amazing young man, very creative and tenacious. He understands his situation and has worked hard academically to get what he needed," said Liles. "He is focused on his future."

In 10th grade, on a field trip to Deloitte in Stamford, Smith deemed it the kind of place in which he could see himself someday. Not that he didn't need nudging. Liles said Smith likes to do a lot of things at once, so it's been her job to help him focus.

For the business plan, they met for hours at Dunkin' Donuts.

"My job was as a coach. He did all the work. We talked about what would help him stand out. And he stood out," said Liles.

The plans were judged by a team of business leaders and Elizabeth Davis, dean of the college.

"The winners did an excellent job of presenting outstanding ideas and clearly demonstrated the kind of business thinking that is a cornerstone of the college," said Davis, noting that she liked that the plan was focused on a young market, ages 16 to 25.

This is the second year UNH has run the contest.

The other winners include Evan Souza, of Sherman; Lauren Ritchie of Fort Worth, Texas; and Mitchell Fliss, of Sparta, N.J. The university will work with them to further develop their plans if they so choose.

"I was not counting on getting it, but when got it, I was ecstatic," said Smith.